by Phindile Tapula (Ndlovu)
The one animal every business needs
by Eldari Visser
This might sound like an awkward story to you, but it is very relevant for this group of go-getter women. You are all wonderful, fantastic women, wearing your brand every day in this modern society. It is indeed this society that expects from you to be top of your game, to be exotic, different, yet covering their needs. You have to be the forerunners, be excellent, be good, be able to see what the next best thing is. We can name many more requirements that come along. What is needed from you is to survive in this environment.
Read moreChanges to LinkedIn you need to stop resisting (at least for now)
by Bronwynne Wiehl
If you think LinkedIn is the new “Facebook for Professionals”, you’d be right. And so what? Here’s why I think it's exactly what we all need right now. As the world plunged into hard lockdown in early 2020, my business transitioned from managing social media accounts to social media coaching. There was a demand to build personal brands online, and more specifically on LinkedIn. Every interaction was suddenly online. Our time, both work and play, was in front of our screens. People were losing jobs and loved ones, even work colleagues. Industries were crumbling. New ones were springing up. The boundaries between work and home were shattered. And this was reflected in the content shared on the different social media platforms.
Read morePriscilla Musenge, a Zambian entrepreneur creating sustainable animal feed solutions for greener business
Priscilla Museng, founder, Entomo Farm ( Zambia)
Startup Story
Priscilla Musenge is a Climate Change activist and a budding entrepreneur, who is the ceo and founder of Entomo Farm in Zambia, a business launched in 2018. It has since created jobs for 7 people. She was one of the top 10 Finalists of the inaugural cohort of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in 2020, a White House Initiative. Additionally, in the same year, Priscilla’s start-up also received a grant in sustainable waste management from United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Zambia. Most recently, she also won 2nd prize in the world’s largest green business ideas competition - the 2021 Climate Launchpad business competition and was one of the recipients of the inaugural 2022 ZANACO (Zambia National Commercial Bank) awards in Zambia.
Read moreAnotida Nyowani, an entrepreneur creating a natural and affordable skincare company in Zimbabwe & Mozambique
Anotida Nyowani, co-founder, Luxury Junkies (Zimbabwe & Mozambique)
Startup Story
Anotida Nyowani is an entrepreneur and the co-founder of Luxury Junkies, a natural skincare company in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. She is also a physiotherapist by profession, with a talent and a passion for formulating natural, cruelty free skin and haircare products. Her sister Chido Mhindurwa has a psychology degree with years of human resources management and business development experience under her belt. Together they teamed up to create a luxury non-toxic skincare company that runs in Mozambique and in Zimbabwe. Their drive is to offer sustainable, healthy and clean skincare at an affordable price.
Read moreLee Billy Chisale, a wellness and beauty brand-builder in Malawi
Lee Billy Chisale
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
Belle Afrique, a market leader promoting healthy lifestyle and beauty treatments in Malawi
Lee Billy Chisale is the founder and ceo of Belle Afrique in Malawi, a business that promotes healthy lifestyle and beauty treatments. She is an experienced entrepreneur with a focus on promoting wellness in the pan-African market. She founded the business over 20 years ago in 2001 and now employs 15 people. She is a stomatologist with a background in accounting and business management. Today, Belle Afrique provides outstanding clinical and client relations skills for delivering advanced services in aesthetics wellness and training education in the wellness and hospitality industry.
Read moreMércia Cossa Bomba, a Mozambican woman entrepreneur creating unique accessories that celebrate capulana
Mércia Cossa Bomba, founder, N`sky Arte Da Felicidade & Serviços (Mozambique)
Startup Story
Mércia Cossa Bomba is the founder of N`sky Arte Da Felicidade & Serviços in Mozambique, a small company with four workers focused on manual arts and crafts, and which has been in the market for 5 years. She started her company at the time as a hobby whilst also employed as a secretary for a cosmetics distributor. But because she has a son with chronic atopic dermatitis, she was forced to quit her job in order to take care of her son. However, as she always tried to be financially independent, she started to make handmade invitations and bracelets, and her business was born.
Read moreRayana Edwards, a South African sustainable fashion legacy maker
Rayana Edwards, founder, Harem (South Africa)
Startup Story
Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem and based in South Africa, has been in the clothing and textile industry for more than 25 years. She has travelled the world as a buyer and curated manufacturing for local and global brands including her own. Her project Sari for Change allows for her story of mixed heritage to be told whilst it provides an intervention for poverty alleviation and hope for many women who are unemployed. She is a mother to 5 girls, a life coach and serial entrepreneur. Her award winning project is recognized for its pay it forward model to create a legacy within the sustainable fashion space, a term they have coined, a sacred economy.
Read moreDr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi, a Tanzanian serial entrepreneur with a big vision
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi
Lioness Weekender Cover Story
KOM Group, on a mission to be Tanzania’s leading local manufacturing and supplier company for industrial and agro-processing products
Dr Jesca Mhoja Nkwabi is a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and an education and business consultant in Tanzania. She serves as the ceo of KOM Group of companies and is also the Director of KOM Food Products. The business started in 2002 and today employs 300 people. Currently, KOM Group has investments in oil processing, cotton ginning, agriculture, steel, plastic and pipe manufacturing, food, and beverages. She has expertise in business development, business management, consulting, business strategy, supply chain management, food processing, small and medium enterprises, project management, human resource management, negotiation, analytical skills, Microsoft office, Accounting, Finance and Public Speaking.
Read moreLioness Launch / Lifestyle brand, Africana Woman, launches its first international retreat for women
Chulu Chansa, founder, Africana Woman (Zambia)
Lioness Launch
Africana Woman is a lifestyle brand, founded by Chulu Chansa in Zambia, that helps women of African descent connect, collaborate and celebrate. Chulu believes in pursuing holistic health in order to attract true wealth. The brand’s range of products support women in their mental, emotional and spiritual health, with Retreats, Workshops, Courses, and Community on offer. This month sees the announcement of the first International Retreat to Marrakech, Morocco. The Retreat is slated for 2-7 July, 2023 and will take the women through a signature program called KNOW your Roots, Grow your Purpose. This is a guided, deep self-reflection where women will rest, reflect and reconnect with themselves.
Read moreDeveloping an Entrepreneur Mindset for Success: Essential Habits for Building Motivation and Financial Freedom by Lisa Corbitt
Lisa Corbitt
Book Review
If you have ever wondered what it takes to build a successful business, it’s all about Developing an Entrepreneur Mindset for Success, so says author Lisa Corbitt in her new book of the same title. She believes you need to find your Inner Gem, and uncover success from within by designing your ideal life, no matter your age, resources, or experience.
Read more5 Secrets to inspiring and motivating your dream team to bring their A-Game to work
by Farida Yahya
The world we live in today transcends far beyond just hiring people to perform tasks. As a business owner, you need people who can think on their feet, who are creative and are highly motivated. We need people who can deliver beyond expected results.
Read moreDoes the Human Resources department add value to your organisation?
by Sonya Skipp
Sadly, in many discussions, dreadful terms are used to define the HR department and their role in a company. HR Dive recently conducted a survey and found that according to the HR leaders, 58% considered their department to be highly valued while 8% said they were not valued at all. At iFacts, we believe that one of the ways HR can add immense value to the organisation is to ensure that they employ the right person and minimize the insider threat in the business.
Read moreBurnout is real, but it doesn’t have to be your reality!
by Filipa Carreira
Burnout was first identified in the 70’s and it was a workplace problem. Nowadays we recognize that factors leading to burnout go beyond the professional to include parenting, caring for sick family members, and social activism. In fact, anything that requires you to care and invest your time and energy.
Read more5 Taxes business owners should know about
by Ronel Jooste
For many business owners, the concept of tax and complying with tax rules and regulations can be daunting. Tax compliance however plays a vital role in the success and growth of your business. When you apply for funding, banks and funding houses require a tax compliance certificate. Many bigger organisations that you want to do business with, require a tax compliance certificate. Most tender or business proposal processes require a tax compliance certificate. As business owner you limit your opportunities if you are not submitting your returns and paying your taxes when required. Also remember that SARS keeps you as business owner responsible. Arguing ignorance or blaming your accountant will not set you free as far as SARS is concerned.
Read moreLaunch the Legacy: Creating a business brand that builds generational wealth by Dr. Ali Griffith
Dr. Alisha “Ali” Griffith
Book Review
As women entrepreneurs, we all have experienced unexpected set-backs and challenges, and in her new book, Launch the Legacy, author, Dr. Alisha “Ali” Griffith believes the best way to deal with such unpredictable times is to launch your own legacy.
Read moreWhere is inspiration?
by Brigette Mashile
One question you will be asked as a creative is where do you draw inspiration? And I have sensed people want a deep answer, some philosophical long encyclopedia statement. If you have a way with words, give it to them; but if you are like me here is a simple list:
Read moreSuccessful Pitching to the C-Suite (and other scary audiences)
by Laura Camacho
The first step of any successful pitch is to understand your audience.
While all your audiences need accurate, timely, and curated information, the C-Suite audience has far more responsibility and much less time and brain space than others in the organization. Being highly organized and structured helps them retain and remember your recommendations. Winging it is for amateurs. These questions can help you help THEM!
Read moreWhy you need to set up an emergency saving fund
by Kathryn Main
The term “emergency fund” refers to money put away that people can use in times of financial distress. The purpose of the emergency fund is to improve financial security by creating a safety net to help cover unforeseeable, high-cost expenses which, in its absence, could have catastrophic effects on your financial situation.
Read moreThe most dangerous phrase in business is: “We have always done it this way!”
by Jenny Reid
In South Africa, unemployment is sitting at a ridiculously high level. Many may argue that the informal sector is not included in the official unemployment figures. Still, in June 2022, according to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first quarter of 2022, the unemployment rate was 63,9% for those aged 15-24 and 42,1% for those aged 25-34 years, while the current official national rate stands at 34,5%.
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